51С»Æ³µ

Occupational Studies  

Our mission is to develop caring, collaborative scholars through a dynamic, student-centered, occupation-focused educational program.

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy 

Our mission is to develop, innovative, and collaborative OT practitioners and leaders who respond to the dynamic needs of people and communities to support health and wellness through occupational engagement.

Vision

Occupational Studies

Our vision is to address society's occupational needs by fostering excellence in health, wellness, and occupational studies through teaching, scholarship, and service.

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy 

Our vision is to lead the profession in meeting society’s occupational needs by fostering excellence in occupational therapy teaching, scholarship, and service.

The 3+2 Occupational Studies to Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program allows students to earn both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in five (5) years, via a 3+2 option. Students complete a robust and accelerated three (3) years of undergraduate coursework to prepare for the rigors of graduate school. After the third year, students transition to the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program. The M.S.O.T. program is a two (2)-year program that consists of six (6) semesters. Courses in the first two (2) semesters of the M.S.O.T. program take place in the summer and fall and contribute to both the graduate degree and final year of the undergraduate program. Successful students earn a Bachelor of Science with a major in Occupational Studies after the 4th year of the program, and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy after the 5th year of the program. 

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at 51С»Æ³µwas initially accredited in 1985 and has been continuously accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) since that time. Our next accreditation visit will occur in the 2024/2025 academic year. ACOTE is located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, C/O AOTA is (301) 652-6611 and the web address is . 
Email address is: accred@aota.org

The Occupational Studies curriculum is grounded in a holistic conceptualization of health and wellness that teaches students to assess health from both a macro and micro level. Students gain depth in understanding a wide variety of determinants of health through the study of health science, public health, and human occupation – an often-overlooked determinant of health. Students also gain practical skills through training in motivational interviewing and wellness assessment. Service learning, active learning, and interprofessional education are embedded into the curriculum with themes of resilience, advocacy, and wellness across the lifespan.

Occupational Studies Program Goals

At the conclusion of the program, the Occupational Studies student will:

• Critically analyze concepts of health and wellness through application at the personal (micro), population (meso), and societal (macro) levels.
• Synthesize biological, psychosocial, and educational theories that influence human behavior and occupational participation.
• Assess the influence of disease and disability with respect to health promotion and occupational well-being.
• Model compassion as an essential attribute in understanding diverse occupational engagement across the lifespan.
• Collaboratively engage in integrative leadership in occupational media, research, and science in preparation for inter-professional endeavors.
• Be prepared to apply for graduate study in the field of occupational therapy or a related health profession.

51С»Æ³µM.S.O.T. Program Goals

Through the transformative power of occupation, 51С»Æ³µOT graduates collaborate with people, communities, and populations to navigate a journey toward improved health and wellness.  

Upon completion of the Occupational Therapy Curriculum, the student will demonstrate the following outcomes: 

Leadership & Advocacy 

• Advocate for access to occupations that support improved health and wellness. 
• Demonstrate everyday leadership that equips others to navigate the journey to health and wellness through the transformative power of occupation. 
• Develop as leaders who model the way to health and wellness through the transformative power of occupation. 

Collaboration 

• Effectively demonstrate professionalism to communicate and collaborate in team-based care for client-centered practice. 
• Cultivate relationships to facilitate improved health and wellness. 
• Demonstrate communication that is flexible and responsive to contextual demands. 

Community & Context 

• Demonstrate the ability to recognize and assess characteristics of community (comprised of individuals, groups, and populations that are complex, multifaceted, and layered with meaning) and context (factors such as culture, physical environment, personal interests, rituals, routines, spirituality, roles) to collaboratively find solutions to occupational challenges and to support occupational engagement and participation. 
• Value the characteristics of community and context as they influence occupation due to the symbiotic, dynamic, and complex relationship with the nature of occupation. 
• Support occupational engagement and participation by recognizing and assessing characteristics of communities and contexts. 

Evidence-based Practice and Scholarly Inquiry 

• Integrate all levels of evidence to create, inform, and support occupation-centered practice encompassing (or throughout) the entire OT process. 
• Embrace a culture of scholarly inquiry that addresses gaps in knowledge and promotes best practice and lifelong learning. 
• Demonstrate excellence in written and verbal communication to disseminate new ideas, knowledge, and skills that inform and guide practice. 

Creativity 

• Collaborate with individuals, groups, populations, and communities to implement creative solutions to occupational challenges. 
• Integrate creative resources and strategies to shape thinking that will move people and communities towards health and wellness through occupational engagement. 
• Demonstrate the resourcefulness to keep occupation at the center of academic and practice-related learning.   

Meaning 

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how participation and engagement in occupation creates a sense of meaning and in turn influences health and wellness. 
• Demonstrate awareness that meaning is a dynamic changing process that occurs throughout day-to-day occupations throughout the lifespan. 
• Discern meaning as it relates to each individual, population, group, and community.

*The purpose of the catalog is to provide a comprehensive list of required courses. The Department of Health Promotion Studies can provide a degree map listing which courses should be taken in each stage of this timeline.

The M.S.O.T. degree is directly linked to the professional career as an Occupational Therapist.

FIELDWORK EXPERIENCES

Level I Fieldwork

Students complete Level I Fieldwork experiences as part of instructional courses, reinforcing course concepts. Students are supervised by qualified personnel, which may include occupational therapists, teachers, social workers, public health nurses, and physical therapists.

Level II Fieldwork

Emphasizes the application of knowledge by providing the student with in-depth experience in delivery of occupational therapy service to patients/clients. Students complete two (2) full-time level II fieldwork experiences; each is twelve (12) weeks long.

The expenses incurred for room and board during these internships, and travel to and from the fieldwork sites, are the responsibility of each student.

Students may complete fieldwork at any approved location.

The requirements for Level II fieldwork include:

• A minimum of twenty-four (24) weeks, full time of Level II Fieldwork experience, preferably with at least twelve (12) weeks on a full-time sustained basis
• Completion of all fieldwork experience no later than eighteen (18) months following completion of the didactic portion of the curriculum
• Supervision provided by a licensed occupational therapist with at least one (1) year of experience

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students must successfully complete all courses prior to graduation and fulfill all curriculum requirements.

The following abilities and skills are necessary to engage in the Department of Health Promotion Studies at the University of 51С»Æ³µ:  

• Cognitive abilities to analyze, synthesize, and integrate information related to anatomy, physiology, human development, psychology, sociology, kinesiology, and occupational studies in order to make clinical judgments for planning and implementing effective occupation-based interventions.
• Critical thinking and judgment that promotes safety, optimal occupational performance, remediation, and adaptation.
• Time management and organizational skills to meet demands of classroom and practice environment. 
• Interpersonal skills that include participating in classroom discussion, conducting interviews, observing body language, listening, responding, collaborative goal setting, and developing intentional relationships. 
• Evaluation of performance of self and others and making adjustments in behavior or promoting behavioral change in others to enhance occupational performance. 
• Communication skills to develop positive client relationships, complete written documentation consistent with OT practice, and participate as a health care team member. 
• Physical abilities to perform physical examinations, such as balance, range of motion, and strength, and to accurately, safely, and efficiently use assessment tools, equipment, and other materials during occupational therapy intervention. 
• Emotional stability to handle the demands of a practice environment. This includes acting in a professional manner, being dependable, meeting commitments, and being forthcoming about one’s own needs. 
• Ability to maintain personal appearance and hygiene conducive to working in clinical and community settings.

Guidelines for Acceptance into 3+2 OS to M.S.O.T. Accelerated Program

Students on this track must complete the following requirements to be eligible for entrance to the M.S.O.T. program in the accelerated timeline:  

• Complete the required course sequence and have a 3.2 cumulative GPA at the end of Freshman year
• Complete the required course sequence and have a 3.3 cumulative GPA at the end of Sophomore year
• Complete the required course sequence (through fall year 3) and have a 3.4 cumulative GPA at the end of fall semester
• Complete and submit application to OTCAS by the published priority deadline (recommended by October 30) in the Fall semester of the Junior year
• Complete an interview for the M.S.O.T. program in the Fall semester of their junior year with a final confirmation prior to the winter break. Decision is contingent upon successful academic update from the Fall semester with a cumulative GPA of 3.4
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 at the end of their spring semester of their junior year. Matriculation is contingent upon successful academic update from the Spring semester with a cumulative GPA of 3.4
• A minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is preferred, as calculated by 51С»Æ³µusing the highest grade received for repeated coursework; calculated using the OTCAS universal computation scale for quality points.
• View prerequisite coursework requirements

Successful Candidates must:

• Meet the academic standards outlined above for each year of the Occupational Studies Program
• Apply to the M.S.O.T. program through the OT Centralized Application System (OTCAS)
• Successfully complete all required aspects of the admission process
• Demonstrate commitment to a well-rounded undergraduate experience inclusive of coursework in a variety of disciplines as well as leadership and service activities within the 51С»Æ³µand greater community documented with the OTCAS application.
• Engage in a successful interview with M.S.O.T. Admissions 
• Meet all M.S.O.T. academic technical standards

Following Matriculation in the M.S.O.T. program: 

• Students who are unsuccessful in the first year of the M.S.O.T. program will be referred to the M.S.O.T. SDC committee. Those who meet the requirements to remain in the program may be advised to do one (1) of the following options: 
  • Decelerate, earn a bachelor’s degree, and then resume graduate studies
  • Consider the option to re-enroll in the undergraduate Occupational Studies or BS in Health Sciences Program to complete an undergraduate degree

Standardized Tests

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission.

Letters of Evaluation

Two (2) letters of evaluation are required*, submitted via OTCAS.

• Letters should come from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities and/or professional experiences.

*Letters from friends or family members are not permitted.

Observation Hours

• Volunteer, shadowing, and/or work experience in a health or human services-related setting is not required, but it is highly recommended.
• All hours should be documented within the OTCAS application.

Personal Statement

• Please refer to the OTCAS application for specific writing prompts and additional information.

Interviews

• Interviews are required as part of the application process.
• Qualified applicants will be invited to interview via email. All interviews are completed through the Kira Talent virtual assessment platform.
• Although applicants are not required to physically come to campus during the application process, campus visits are welcome and available by appointment. Please reach out to the Office of Graduate Admissions via email for additional information.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

For entrance into the 3+2 B.S. with a major in Occupational Studies to M.S.O.T. program students must meet the following requirements:

• Students seeking admission should have completed high school courses in chemistry, biology, and two (2) to three (3) years of mathematics including Algebra II.
• Applicants submit their application materials to the Admissions Office during the fall of the year prior to matriculation. Decisions on applicants will be made on a rolling basis. Qualified students who apply after the fall will be admitted on a space-available basis.

INTERNAL TRANSFER STUDENTS

Students who are enrolled in other majors at the University may apply for admission into the 3+2 Occupational Studies to M.S.O.T. program during their first three (3) semesters, and if they meet the curricular and grade standards that are set. Students must be enrolled by the end of the fall of the second year to be eligible. 

Students who wish to transfer into the 3+2 Occupational Studies to M.S.O.T. program must complete the following:

• Discuss interest in the program with the director of the OS program.
• Fill out, complete, and submit a change of major form.
• Write an essay of three hundred (300) words or less on the rationale for transfer into the 3+2 Occupational Studies to M.S.O.T. major. This statement should be submitted to the director of the Occupational Studies program.
• Have a cumulative GPA in accordance with the guidelines outlined above.

All of these steps should be completed before the end of the semester in which they apply; the last semester for eligibility is fall of the second year.

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Students may enter the program by transferring a maximum of thirty (30) credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.2. Students may not transfer in Introduction to Occupational Therapy, Foundations of Assistive Technology, Assessment for Wellness Consultation, Occupational Science, or Disability Studies. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at 51С»Æ³µin order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must be no older than five (5) years.

Other restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

A maximum of six (6) Advanced Placement (AP) or equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) credits may be accepted as a substitute for Introduction to Psychology and English Composition prerequisite courses for the M.S.O.T. program only. Other AP or IB credits may apply to Occupational Studies coursework outside of M.S.O.T. prerequisites. 

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Undergraduate Financial Information section and Graduate Financial Information section of this catalog.